Fabregas

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas scored the decisive goal for Blues in their Carabao Cup clash against Derby County at Stamford Bridge last night.

The Spaniard, speaking after the game, told Chelsea’s official website: “I wasn’t surprised by how adventurous they were,

‘I follow the Championship and I have seen a couple of games, and also the coach alerted us how they play. They are very brave, they are young, they run, they are enthusiastic, and it’s fantastic to see this. Credit to Frank and Jody for what they are doing, it’s great to see these young players wanting to play”.

Derby County conceded two own-goals in a crazy first-half, before Fabregas sent Chelsea into the quarter-final of the competition, where they will face Bournemouth at home.

He added: “The performance was difficult. It’s not easy when you play once a week to keep fit and always be ready. They gave us a fantastic game. But we are through and that’s the most important thing”.

Maurizio Sarri makes eight changes to his line-up as Chelsea face Derby County in the Carabao Cup tonight. Only N’Golo Kante, Alvaro Morata and Willian had been named in the XI to face Burnley at Turf Moor earlier on Sunday. On the other hand, Frank Lampard confirmed the squad which started in their 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

FIRST HALF –Chelsea took the lead as club loanee Fikayo Tomori produced an unfortunate own-goal, just before Marriott leveled up the score in the 10th minute. Another own-goal put the Blues in back in front, then Waghorn turned home from a close range, exploiting a low cross from Chelsea loanee Mason Mount. Maurizio Sarri’s men keep pushing for a goal and find it 15 minutes later. Cesc Fabregas’ goal is the difference at the end of a vivid first period at Stamford Bridge. More to follow…

Ross Barkley playedthe whole game against Manchester City at Wembley today in a midfield trio alongside with latest Chelsea signing Jorginho and Cesc Fabregas (Danny Drinkwater came off the bench in the 79th minute).

And Maurizio Sarri, when asked if the former Everton star can be a proper option for Chelsea this season, told journalists: “I like him. He is a technical player. He has to improve on the defensive phase.

“It’s difficult to play with Jorginho, Cesc [Fabregas] and Ross all together but I like him. He will be a very useful player for us.”

The list of Julen Lopetegui’s men for Russia 2018 has been drawn up, arousing many clamors; out of the list Blues’ player Alvaro Morata, favorited in its place Rodrigo, Diego Costa, Lucas Vazquez and Aspas.

Chelsea’ striker had scored three goals at Euro 2016 with red t-shirt and he scored 15 goals this season, 11 in Premier League, 1 in UCL, 2 in FA Cup and 1 in EFL Cup with Blues.

Out of Lopetegui’ chosen also Marco Alonso, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas. The only Spanish player from Chelsea summoned by Lopetegui is César Azpilicueta.

Former Fiorentina players Marcos Alonso and Zappacosta, as well as Fabregas and Rudiger are among the players who paid tribute to Italian defender Davide Astori, who died aged 31 this morning. Serie A MatchDay 27 has been suspended after Fiorentina player passed away in his sleep and is yet to be rescheduled.

Chelsea travel to Brighton as tomorrow the Blues will face the Seagulls in the Premier League at the AMEX ArenA. Alvaro Morata and Pedro are both suspended after being shown a red card agains Norwich, while also Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill ruled out for the clash.

Conte said: “I think Ross is in a good physical condition. Yesterday he played 70 minutes. Tomorrow he is in the squad and comes with us. I don’t know if during the game I decide to give him the chance to play or wait, or if the game doesn’t ask this type of situation. He has to work with us in our idea. Now he is in the squad”.

“Cahill and Fabregas also, they are out. I need to check on a couple of other situations”.

When asked to provide further comments on Alvaro Morata’s display against Norwich, Conte added: “For sure in the Norwich game the player knows very well his mistake. There was frustration in the first yellow card. You must learn to control himself, because the second yellow card was for dissent. I agree with the player for the first yellow card, but not with him on the second yellow”.

“The striker this situation can happen. For Alvaro this is the first season he is playing a full season and that it might be the first season he is having these problems. You can score, the most important thing is to work hard for the team. Before if you stay on the bench you don’t have this type of situation. He has to move on, we trust him”.

N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater began in midfield, alongside with Spain international Cesc Fabregas in the last clash against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

Reflecting on the game, Kante told Chelsea‘s official website: “The game did not start very well as we conceded a goal early, but we reacted well. It is important to get the win. We needed to win before the top teams played and it was an important three points”.

On the reunion with former teammate at Leicester City Danny Drinkwater, he added: “It was a long time we played together, I am happy for him to come to Chelsea, I am happy for the win and I hope we can keep winning”.

RANDOM POSTS

Speaking during his press conference ahead of tomorrow's Carabao Cup's quarter final vs Bournemouth, Sarri's assistant coach Gianfranco Zola explained he is not sure Gary Cahill will leave Chelsea during the January transfer window.
"It is difficult...